November 26 , 2020

First Congregational Church of Bethel

Pastor's Message Happy Thanksgiving! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you, I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. --Psalm 9:1-2 What are you thankful for today? We want to be people who see life through a sharply-focused lens of gratitude to Jesus that defines and shapes how we live; constantly striving to see life as He sees it, to truly look at the faces of people, and to see the beauty of life around us. This doesn’t mean life is perfect, or even close. It doesn’t mean we don’t struggle. We do. So many are facing difficult circumstances, grief, death, cancer, divorce, broken relationships and more. Our feelings are a roller coaster of emotions: from elation to bitterness to joy to unthinkable pain. Being rooted in gratitude doesn’t mean we downplay all we feel. It means in all circumstances, we cling to Jesus. NO. MATTER. WHAT. It’s a deliberate choice to clothe our hearts and minds in an attitude of gratitude. But when we do, we see through clear eyes, and hear through clear ears. It causes us to look up to God’s faithfulness, not just to the world around us. Write down three ways you have experienced God’s faithfulness toward you. Follow that up with a prayer of gratitude. Amen. On the journey, Pastor Donna

UPCOMING EVENTS & WORSHIP November 29th Sunday Worship Online Advent Begins December 5th Drive Thru Pot Roast Dinner December 6th Sunday Worship Online Second Sunday of Advent December 12th Sunday Worship Online Third Sunday of Advent NO IN PERSON WORSHIP Worship will be broadcast online. Sunday Worship November 26th 10:00 am Worship Service will be broadcast online. Join us for service from home via Facebook Live. Go to First Congregational Church of Bethel Facebook page, once Worship begins you will see the live stream. Reverend Donna Cassity will be leading us in Worship. Click link below to connect service. Emails are sent prior to service that include the bulletin. CLICK TO CONNECT Click to Join Coffee Hour Coffee hour will take place following Worship Service, please join through the Zoom link above. Church Announcements will be made during coffee hour.

December 6, 2020 Sunday 5:00PM via Zoom Please RSVP via Remind app. Email CC with any questions. Email CC December 6th Trustee Meeting December 9th Finance Meeting December 14th Cabinet Meeting

Pot Roast Dinner Saturday December, 5th 2020 Drive by-location: In front of First Congregational Church The meal features: Pot Roast and Gravy -  Mashed Potatoes  -  Peas   - Red Cabbage -  Salad -  Roll -  Dessert . Pick-up time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM       Adults: $20.00    Children under 12: $10.00 with the purchase of an Adult meal All meals will be by advanced orders. Tickets will be sent to church members. Purchase what to wish and return the remaining with your order. Each numbered ticket must be checked off as adult or child. Present the right side of the ticket at pick-up. Return the left side of the ticket with your payment and order. If you purchase 4 tickets(as an example) there should be 4 returned tickets. Each ticket has a place to put in your pick-up time. 15 minute Call ahead is recommended - 203-743-1877 Return advanced ticket purchases by December 1st, 2020   Request for additional tickets for friends/neighbors call Church Office 203-743-1877 or Lillian (203) 748-6112

Watch Worship on FACEBOOK We are planning on changing our social media platform to Facebook live streaming and YouTube instead of Zoom so that we may reach a wider community in Bethel and beyond. Zoom will continue to be the platform for meetings and the coffee hour. If you don't follow the church on Facebook here is how you can find us: Click to follow on Facebook Be sure to like and share our page with all your friends! They will get notified when we have an event! If you do not have a Facebook account and need help setting that up, please call the office and speak to Heather and let her know so we can help you. Finally, if Facebook isn't your thing, the service will be on YouTube posted to our website to watch after Sunday morning at your convenience. The Phase-In Team

Phase Forward Updates

Your Phase Forward Team has been working diligently preparing for the opening of Sunday Worship Services within our Sanctuary. Understandably it may feel a bit different going forward and if you feel it is too soon for you to join, that's ok. Phase Forward Guidelines

Stewardship Message Thank you to all of you who are keeping up with your pledges and donations by mailing in your Sunday offerings or using the online giving process with the link below. God's work, especially during this difficult time in the history of the human race, will test us all and will need our financial support. Those of you who are having financial difficulty during this time, keep the Faith, God will provide. Be Safe! Board of Stewardship   Online Giving Click Here

CHURCH OFFICE The Church office is open by appointment and Wednesday 9am-12pm. Church Secretary will be working remotely Monday and Friday. If you are you in need of assistance or know someone that is please email our church secretary and we will be happy to assist. Church Office will be Closed November 26th and 27th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. EMAIL Secretary

‌ ‌ ‌